Security beefed up in Mumbai for IPL

After the twin blasts in Bangalore before the Bangalore-Mumbai match, security has been beefed up at D Y Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai, where the two semi-finals and the final of the IPL will be held.

The semi-finals are scheduled on April 21 and 22, while the final is on April 25.

After reviewing the security arrangements at the ground, Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) A N Roy said all security measures have been taken to ensure the matches pass off without any disruption. "The ticket holders will have to come empty handed as no bags, mobiles and water bottles will be allowed inside the ground," Roy said.

The stadium authority has also been given instructions about the Do's and Dont's, Roy said. He also added that the parking facility was now a bit away from the ground but did not specify how far from the stadium it would be.

Responding to a query, Roy said, "It is clear from the fact of explosions in Bangalore that the IPL is on their (terrorists) target list. Keeping this in mind, the required number of police deployment has been made at the venue."

"We are taking no chances and each and every spectator would be thoroughly frisked before allowing him entry to the stadium through nine entry/exit points," Roy said, refusing to divulge any numbers with regard to security.

Police sources said the ground, with a sitting capacity of 60,000, would be manned by over 2,000 police personnel and 1,000 private security guards engaged by the stadium and IPL authority and over 60 door-frame metal detectors have been installed.

The State Reserve Force and armed commandos will also be deployed during the event. Plainclothes policemen will also keep an eye to ensure safety, and each and every corner of the ground would be viewed through CCTVs cameras.